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Talking Pictures: 'The Truman Show'

Weir's 'Truman' questions the world we live in

Las Cruces Sun-News

Posted:
01/16/2014 01:00:00 AM MST

Peter Weir, an iconic Australian film director, is considered to be one of the main proponents of the Australian New Wave in the early 1970s -- including the "Mad Max" series and Nicolas Roeg's "Walkabout." A chameleon of a filmmaker, Weir got his start in documentaries before making his way into experimental filmmaking. Some of Weir's early efforts, "The Cars that Ate Paris" and "Picnic at Hanging Rock," are considered Australian classics.

A Peter Weir film is a brilliant balance of story, acting, camerawork and classical music. Consistent and confident, his work leaves very little signature to most audiences, Weir choosing to put the story above all preconceived ideas of form and technique. He can deftly move between genres, taking on the crime thriller "Witness," comedy and drama in "Dead Poet's Society," and an adventure epic like "Master and Commander." If I were to pinpoint a reoccurring theme in his work it would have to be the idea of being an outsider in an environment where you don't feel like you belong. Like John Book, a policeman hidden in an Amish community in "Witness," or John Keating, the radical new English teacher at a strict prep school in "Dead Poet's Society," Weir demonstrates that change and growth can only come from questioning the world we live in.

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This is best seen in Weir's most commercial success to date, "The Truman Show," an inspiring tale about wanting more than what we're given.

"The Truman Show" tells the story of an ordinary man named Truman Burbank (a superb Jim Carrey). Truman has a great job, a perfect wife and a beautiful home. Here's the kicker though: none of it's real.

From birth until now, hidden cameras have recorded Truman's whole life as part of an experimental reality TV program called "The Truman Show." From his hometown of Seahaven actually being a set to his wife Sylvia being an actress, everything has been artificially constructed for the purposes of entertainment. And Truman doesn't know. He lives his life actually thinking he's living it of his own fruition. The film starts when Truman starts to suspect that something is wrong: his car radio picks up the crew narrating his every move, a stage light falls from the sky, etc. Despite attempts by his friend and wife to dissuade him, Truman is relentless in finding the truth of his existence.

"The Truman Show" is a remarkably well-written script by screenwriter Andrew Niccol. The film is a beautiful sci-fi satire about the nature of free will. Although everything in Truman's life is planned, Truman can't help but make decisions that the show can't predict. Rather than loving his "wife," Truman falls for an extra that is taken off the show after she tries to tell him about the show. Despite being made to feel afraid of exploration so he'll stay in Seahaven, Truman is dead set on getting out and seeing the world, thirsty for adventure and new things.

On its surface level, "The Truman Show" can be seen as just another quirky comedy, but beneath its humorous exterior is an important message: live the life you want to live, not the one you're supposed to. Somewhat like Adam before God, in the end Truman stands before the show's "creator" and wonders what it's all for. This is a beautiful and unforgettable little film.

Sheridan O'Donnell reviews movies not in theaters anymore. Send your suggestions (and comments) to odsher@gmail.com and your film might just be in next week's Pulse.